"And it came to pass,
that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his
disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his
disciples."
Luke
11: 1
The
disciples asked to be teach them to pray. They did not ask "Lord, teach us how to do miracles, or how to walk on water or raise the dead"
The supernatural manifests as a result of prayer.
Prayer in communion and intimacy with God. Prayer is a dialogue. We speak to God and God speaks to us. Through prayer, we connect our spirit, soul and body to God.
Prayer should be first and foremost personal - my time alone with God - then congregational - our time with God.
Matt.
26: 36-44
Jesus
encouraged His disciples to join in prayer with Him.
Jesus
dealt with depression and discouragement by prayer.
Jesus
dealt with sorrow through prayer
Jesus
expected His disciples to join Him in prayer
Jesus
saw THEM asleep and spoke to PETER (verse 40): " What could you not WATCH
and PRAY "with me" one hour?"
Jesus
never forced His disciples to pray (verse 43-44)
Jesus
repeated the same words in His prayer
Jesus
revealed that the way to deal with temptation is through prayer
Matt.
21: 13
Jesus
said: " My house shall be called a house of prayer"
In the
book of Acts of the Apostles,
they continued as Jesus instructed and taught:
Acts
1: 14
They
ALL continued with one accord in prayer including the women and the mother of
Jesus.
Acts
2: 41-42
After
the preaching of Peter, there were 3000 new converts, that:
1.
Gladly received the Word
2.
Were baptized
3.
Continued steadfastly in the Apostle's doctrine
4.
Fellowship
5.
Breaking of bread - Holy Communion
6.
And in prayers
Acts
3:1
Although
the church was growing, Peter and John went up together at the HOUR OF PRAYER
MIRACLES, SINGS AND WONDERS FOLLOW PRAYER
Acts
4: 24
After
a testimony, they lifted up their voice with one accord in prayer...
Acts
4:31
...and
when they had prayed, the place was shaken and they were all filled with the
Holy Ghost and with spoke the Word with boldness
Acts
9: 10-12
Once
Paul was converted (saw the light), one of the first thing that he did was to
PRAY
Acts
10: 2-3
Cornelius
was a man of prayer...because of prayer, he had a Godly vision and favor from
God
Acts
10: 9-11, 13
Peter
spent time praying and saw the same vision and heard a voice from heaven
Acts
12: 1,5, 12
Peter
persecuted in prison...But the church prayer!
Prayer brought deliverance!
Acts
13: 1-3
The
church prayed and God spoke and sent people out on missions and church plants
We should continue in prayer...Prayer brings results and a supernatural manifestation.
